Introductory Message from Dr. Ivan Filby

Introductory Message from Dr. Ivan Filby

When Kathie and I married, we made the decision to say "Yes" to Jesus Christ - wherever He led us. Eight years ago one of these "Yeses" brought us from the University of Dublin: Trinity College to Greenville College. We sold all that we had to make this "Yes" possible. Last year, a new "Yes" led me from Greenville to Point Loma Nazarene University while Kathie remained at Greenville to enable our daughter, Katie, to complete her senior year in high school without moving out of state. Now another "Yes" will bring me back to Greenville College as its 12th President, while a new "Yes" from our daughter is taking her from Greenville to Point Loma. Radical discipleship is not a guarantee of an easy life - but it certainly offers one that is rich in meaning and purpose!

As you can imagine, I am very, very excited to be returning to Greenville in this new role. Greenville College is an amazing place, and we have a great story to tell. Our ability to offer a high quality Christ-focused education, with strong majors and with a strong liberal-arts core, helps to set us apart in an educational climate where students are increasingly just numbers and education is often viewed solely in terms of early career prospects. In contrast, we continue to promote the knowledge, skills and values that will enrich all of our graduates' lives, not only the time that is spent at work.

Our curricula and co-curricula programs will continue to be offered in an environment rich in academic challenge, worship and faithfulness to our high calling. We are called to prepare graduates who excel in their professions, who can think critically, communicate clearly, and who are salt and light to our world.

My new role is to tell this story to students, prospective students and their parents; to our beloved faculty, administrators and staff; to our faithful alumni, and to our donors new and old. I am confident that Greenville College will prosper as we prioritize prayer, clarify what makes Greenville College distinct, and seek the Lord's favor on all that we do. Of course, this does not mean that we will not face some big challenges, we certainly will, but we will face them trusting in the wisdom and strength of a bigger God.

More than anything, I want Greenville College to be a place where students can discover and embrace God's amazing love in increasing measure, where the education we offer not only equips students for successful careers but transforms them into world changers, and where our work as administrators, staff and faculty becomes a natural part of our worship to the One who has called us to this high purpose.

I will communicate further in early July. In the meantime, I covet your prayers for my family and myself as we make multiple transitions over the summer.